Little Red Lies

Plot summary

The novel opens with Rachel McLaren at the train station awaiting her brother Jamie's return from the war, and his career as a soldier. Immediately it is clear that Rachel has unrealistic expectations of life returning to the way it was before the war. We begin to understand the extent of emotional pain Jamie has gone through with the introduction of Will Cooper, Jamie's late best friend's brother. We begin to understand the events that lead to his death through periodic letters from Jamie to Rachel that she has yet to read. Once Jamie is welcomed back home we receive an introduction to Rachel's school life.

Anticipation for another school year increases when word of a new English teacher reaches Rachel, giving her hope for her dreams of being a lead actress in the next school play. Mr. Tompkins recognizes her in-depth knowledge of the play being studied and grants her assistant director. Rachel continues to help her friend Hazel study her lines and embrace the role.

Meanwhile Jamie is trying to reintegrate himself with his former life, including his former girlfriend Mary. Though Rachel dislikes and is jealous of Mary, she finds herself mentally directing them to kiss during the first snow fall, cementing her desires to be a director and for Jamie to be happy with Mary.

Slowly Rachel's relationship with Mr. Tompkins grows slightly inappropriate. Discussions in private, afternoons spent alone planning, and she attempts to put on an adult façade through the use of a bright red lipstick called ‘Little Red Lies’.

Jamie begins to distance himself from his family and the stress is evident on his mother, father, grandmother, but especially Rachel who begins creative endeavors to seek his intention. In the process she uncovers that Mary is being unfaithful. As she wrestles with whether or not to share her knowledge with her brother his health declines. Jamie is taken begins seeing doctors.

Rachel has now begun to immerse herself in the drama of the school play, and her closely guarded affection for Mr. Tompkins when it is revealed after much suspicion that her mother is pregnant with an unexpected third child. The information overwhelms Rachel who feels neglected by her brother, and now her parents and she becomes even closer with her friend Ruthie and Mr. Tompkins despite recognizing his new affection for her friend Hazel. Hazel leaves town, pleasing Rachel.

It is discovered through trips to Toronto doctors that Jamie has leukemia. Rachel spends time with him in the hospital and is miserable when she cannot find a way to help him. Jamie moves into an apartment downtown and begins attending university despite his illness. And Rachel while resisting is brought back to Middleborough.

Gossip continues to grow about Mr. Tompkins and his relationships with young female students. He then offers to counsel Rachel through her newly complex life, just as she had Hazel. Rachel though tempted declines, without truly understanding why.

Life is busier with a baby in the house, and she helps with chores and balances homework with her responsibilities to the play. The play's lead, Ruthie, cannot perform, and Rachel is the only one able to take her place. After always dreaming of being an actress she discovers she is awful at acting. Humiliated, she hops a train to Toronto to live with Jamie.

Jamie, who is shocked to see her, lets her stay for the weekend. Rachel enjoys finally feeling close to her brother again. While in Toronto, she reunites with Hazel. She has just had Mr. Tompkins' baby. The shock wears off, and she is relieved to have declined counselling.

Rachel returns home and is soon followed by her brother who has finished his semester. Will Cooper and his sister Ellie visit and Jamie seems happy with her. Their baby brother is finally named after lengthy debate, Cooper James. Jamie leaves his unsent letters for Rachel. Though life is not perfect they enjoy a peaceful moment where things are right again.

Rachel through everything has stopped trying to wear the lipstick, as she now understands being an adult is much more complicated than acting like one.